Media Room News Releases

Cultural Celebration Series Continues with Three Kings Festivities

January 1, 2019

The Epiphany – the Feast of Three Kings on January 6 is a significant holiday in many cultures and Spanish-speaking countries, marking the 12 days after Christmas when the kings arrived in Bethlehem. The traditions of family, gift-giving, music, and art and crafts are brought to life so that families of all backgrounds can explore this holiday that is familiar by many local families who grew up celebrating The Feast of the Three Kings. Read More

Creativity through the Arts, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Voyage to Vietnam Returns Home After National Tour

October 1, 2018

After a two-year national tour to promote understanding of the Vietnamese culture, the exhibition Voyage to Vietnam: Celebrating the Tet Festival returns home. The exhibition was developed by the museum with the help of 10 community leaders who consulted on the two-year process to ensure cultural authenticity. It was made possible through a highly competitive national initiative by the Freeman Foundation Asian Culture Exhibit Series. Read More

Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Learning Research, Partnerships & Resource Development

$25,000 Grant from Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Connects Families to Nature

September 10, 2018

Local children and adults will gain skills in how to enjoy and participate in outdoor recreation thanks to “Happy Trails.” This innovative program launched by Children’s Discovery Museum and funded by Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority aims to narrow the “nature gap” by removing barriers for inner-city families. According to CalEnviroScreen, an analysis of California communities and the environment, some of the most environmentally disadvantaged communities are within a five-mile radius of the museum and likely lack exposure to the positive health benefits of nature. This program intends to change that. Read More

Community Service Learning, Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Oracle Helps Ignite Passion for Scientific Inquiry and Environmental Stewardship

June 13, 2018

More than 1,000 students rolled up their sleeves and pant legs and got their hands and feet wet while learning first-hand about water quality, the protection of plants and animals, and qualities that make up a healthy watershed, thanks to a $25,000 contribution from Oracle for BioSITE, the museum's award-winning program. Read More

Environmental Stewardship, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Shortino Foundation’s $25,000 Award Makes a Difference for Local Youth

May 3, 2018

Local at-risk youth from low-income families will learn about video and digital media, experience the joys of community service, and make new friends in the museum’s youth programs, thanks to a $25,000 grant from The Shortino Foundation. The funds will support free and subsidized registration for teens in three museum youth programs. Read More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Local Hero and Former Astronaut Steve Smith to Receive Legacy Award

May 1, 2018

This year's Legacy for Children Award honoree is out-of-this-world. Former astronaut and local resident Steve Smith is a remarkable role model who inspires young people to pursue their dreams with confidence, tenacity, and courage. After four rejections from NASA, Smith was accepted into the astronaut program at age 33. At 35 he traveled into space and became one of America's most experienced astronauts who now captivates audiences around the country as a motivational speaker. Read More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Museum Joins “Museums for All” National Access Program

February 22, 2018

Now even more families from all backgrounds can visit the museum through Museums for All, a national access program that enables qualifying families to visit the museum for the low rate of $2 per person for up to four people. Families simply present one of the following: Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC) card, or a Women, Infants and Children Nutrition (WIC) folder. This national initiative represents a huge step in the goal of reaching more children and parents, especially those living in poverty, with the valuable educational resources of hands-on learning. Read More

General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Immersive Mural Transforms Enormous Covered Entryway

November 30, 2017

Creativity is ignited every day inside the museum's purple walls. Now visitors' creative juices will be stoked as they approach the museum. Acclaimed multi-media artist Jaque Fragua of Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico is transforming the museum’s massive stucco covered-entry into a pallet of brightly colored imagery and bold symbols sparked from community input. The artist created the iconographic motifs based on design ideas submitted by 50 Rocketship Alma Academy 2nd – 5th grade students, EY corporate volunteers, and museum staff. Read More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Bestselling Author and Nature Advocate Richard Louv to Help Dedicate Bill’s Backyard

September 19, 2017

Bill’s Backyard: Bridge to Nature, San Jose's newest outdoor learning environment, will double the museum’s current exhibit space and provide endless opportunities for fun and learning with a focus on environmental and science education. Bestselling author and chairman emeritus of Children & Nature Network Richard Louv will give the keynote address at the dedication on Thursday, October 19 at 11 a.m. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo will speak about the museum’s leading role in making San Jose a nature-rich city for all children. Read More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Science Learning

Proud of My Family Aug. 17 & 18

August 1, 2018

The fourth annual Proud of My Family weekend celebrates all families, especially members of the LGBTQ+ community. The event supports the museum’s Inclusion and Cultural Competence strategic commitment to build awareness and understanding among people of diverse ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socioeconomic situations, religions, abilities, and family configurations. Read More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Registration Begins for Summer of Service Day Camp

February 14, 2018

Looking for options for your teen this summer? Summer of Service day camp may be just the answer. Registration is open for this nationally-recognized program that connects teens in grades 7 - 10 with volunteer opportunities. New this year is six, separate one-week sessions starting June 25 through August 3 for $300 each. Teens can sign up for one, two or all six weeks. With an emphasis on service and responsibility, participants have the option of selecting from five focus areas including community outreach activities, early childhood education, the environment, activities for museum visitors and media studio experience, and leadership development. Read More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship

El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos 20th Anniversary Celebration

January 5, 2018

Freddie, the camel, and Beverly, the mini-donkey, will be the star attraction in a ceremonial procession to kick off the 20th anniversary of the Three Kings weekend. The festivities will bring to life rich traditions and colorful customs of family, gift-giving, music and the arts, based on the Three Kings observances in many Spanish-speaking countries. Visitors can try their hand at papel picado, tortilla-making, sample Rosca De Reyes bread, and enjoy captivating music and dance performances. Read More

Creativity through the Arts, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Noon Year’s Eve Across the Time Zones: Our Version of the Ball Drop in Times Square

December 29, 2017

Celebrate the arrival of 2018 with the whole family by participating in the “countdown to noon across time zones” with family hugs, a noisy celebration, and the Museum’s version of the famous Ball Drop in Times Square with lots of confetti. At the ball drops, we give “shout outs” to different countries and what people in those countries might be doing at these times. Read More

General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Children Become Little Scientists in Science + You Exhibit

October 9, 2017

Thanks to support from AbbVie Foundation, kids can become little scientists and discover the world of science in a fun, hands-on way. The exhibit offers a child-sized laboratory where kids can learn about working in a clean environment as they prepare to put on a lab coat and explore the role science plays in keeping the body healthy. The exhibit features tips about healthy eating and active living with plenty of role-playing including making nutritious soup in the "Test Kitchen," learning how antibodies help defeat germs, handling materials safely using the "Glovebox," and getting a magnified view of both natural and man-made objects using the "Wentzscope," and more! Read More

Early Childhood Development, Health Promotion, Science Learning